Syria
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- republic under a military regime
- CONSTITUTION
- March 13, 1973
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on a combination of French and Ottoman civil law, Islamic law is used in family matters
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, People's Council (Majlis al-Shaab)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Constitutional Supreme Court, judges appointed for four years by the president; High Judicial Council; Court of Cassation; State Security Court
RELIGIONS
74% Sunni Muslims; 16% other Muslims, 10% Christians; Jewish minorities
From the country
- JUNE 15, 2000SyriaDEATH PENALTY
Syrian authorities arrested two suspects in the killing...
Syrian authorities arrested two suspects in the killing of University Military Training Department Commander, Major General Khalil Ibrahim al-Mustafa, who was stabbed to death in his Damascus apartment
- MAY 20, 2000SyriaDEATH PENALTY
The Syrian journalist Faysal Sha'bu, who was residing...
The Syrian journalist Faysal Sha'bu, who was residing in Jordan illegally and seeking political asylum, said he faced the death penalty if he decided to return to Syria
- JANUARY 1, 2000SyriaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, aggravated rape and offenses against...
Aggravated murder, aggravated rape and offenses against the State are capital crimes
- NOVEMBER 1, 1999SyriaDEATH PENALTY
In November, the Syrian representative, speaking at...
In November, the Syrian representative, speaking at the Third Committee of the General Assembly, affirmed: "The real issue is not whether the death penalty should or should not be applied, but rather each country's sovereign right to choose its own politi
- JULY 22, 1999SyriaDEATH PENALTY
Syria signed the letter, dated 22 July 1999, addressed...
Syria signed the letter, dated 22 July 1999, addressed to the President of the Economic and Social Council, in which the retentionist countries dissociated from the Commission on Human Rights resolution 1999/61 on the question of the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 1999SyriaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, aggravated rape and offenses against...
Aggravated murder, aggravated rape and offenses against the State are capital crimes